Monday, August 24, 2009

Run for your Life!

This past Saturday I completed my fourth half-marathon, and I am SORE! My roommate convinced me to enter (she trained like a champ) and I really should have trained more before hand. A five mile run a few days prior left me tired and full of aches, but since I promised, I couldn't let her down. I made it 7 miles before a walk break and she made it 11. Eleven miles!! She is my hero! As I try to get rid of my last aches and pains, I share with you a collection of running inspired gems from Etsy. Enjoy!

Design Star... Jason's Room

So after watching Design Star tonight on HGTV (my new favorite show) I thought about what I would have done if I had Jason's client. I am such a fan of bright colors, my first instinct was to go for a bright pink, like this color:


I then considered what the client had before, a bubblegum-like pink that Jason stuck with (no pun intended). Since the client apparently likes a softer shade in her bedroom, I came up with a more fabulous (and might I say mature) solution.

The 17 year old beautiful girl wanted plush, grown-up princess. To me this translates to the same type of palette that Jason was using: pinks, blacks, silvers, and whites, but with a bit more oomph and luxury.


For the walls I would do 12"-16" vertical stripes, alternating a light blush pink with a pearly pink or cream to add light and texture. I like the two colors above together and I think that they would give a nice subtle effect.

Instead of that...interesting...wall art around the window I would add black sheer curtains that reached from floor to ceiling to lend an feeling of a taller, and hence more expensive, ceiling height. The sheers would still let plenty of light in without being too heavy, but would still add an air of drama and sophistication.

Speaking of ceilings, I agree with Jason on the chandelier. I like this crystal and chrome one especially (sorry, couldn't find the designer of this one!)


The bed is such an important part of the room, this client needs to feel like a princess on her throne. Instead of placemats hung on the wall, I would pair white and grey linens with a grey, tall, arched, tufted headboard like in this find from Cococozy's blog. As always this would have to be a re-creation due to budget, but this could be so easy, and so great! A little MDF, a cute little jigsaw, some batting, fabric and upholstery nails with fabric covered buttons to boot and voila! A couple of pink throw pillows would help to tie the bed into the rest of the room.


Finished with a black desk and grey shelving to avoid a heavy look, I think that it would come together as lush princess.

I think it is always important to remember that to look expensive, it doesn't actually have to be. The keys are to have fewer, lush pieces (clutter is NOT luxe) and keep things rich. Not clean and simple, but clean and marvelous!

So what do you think? If I could pull it together in the time-frame and you were a judge, would you cancel my show?

Sunday, August 23, 2009

A Winning Move!

So I haven't posted in a bit, but for good reason! I've just moved into my new apartment and I have been spending the last week and a half getting it lovely and ready to live in. I'm not quite done, and not yet ready to share photos, but soon! Keep an eye out!

In other AWESOME news, I've won two drawings on two of my fave blogs! I'm such a lucky girl!


The first was the $25 gift card from Famous Footwear that I mentioned earlier this month that was being given away on Anywhere But Here. Now I can get a pair of those flats that I've been eyeing!


The second was the Big Prize over on Pretty Neat Designs which included an Orla Kiely notepad and a set of 3 Pretty Neat Designs crazy-quilted notecards. So excited to get those in the mail! And how perfect for back to school! I'll be the coolest grad student in the lab. ;)

Thanks to both blog chicks! I'll need to have a give away one of these days to return the good karma! Maybe once I get settled in with school I'll come up with something awesome to shell out.

First day of class tomorrow (eek!) so its off to bed for me. Have a great week everyone!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

So Cool for School!

Today is the last day of my summer vacation in Iowa, tomorrow I head back to Illinois to get ready for the start of grad school. In the spirit of this move, I've collected some of my favorite A+ school related items from Etsy.

Old School Microscope Tshirt, by HappyFamily $14
Show off your love of science!


Owl Laptop Bag, by TrackandFieldDesigns $48
Such a cute way to tote around the laptop!


Brown Leather Journal with Braided Wrap Closure, by julieboyles $48
How scholarly!


Brain Graphic Mousepad, by crrysstall $12
Fun for a dorm room or any quirky office!



Handcrafted Acrylic Pen, by tomcatscreations $20
This cute of a pen would make me want to take notes!

I know I'm a nerd, but I'm actually looking forward to classes, homework, and learning again. Plus I love Fall, so the start of classes means I'm one step closer to crisper air! Happy schooling, everyone!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Speaking of Shoes...


I have started to follow a blog called "Anywhere but Here" by a fashion loving adorable chica who shows off stellar dresses, shoes and more. Right now she is having a giveaway for a $25 gift certificate for Famous Footwear, so go enter, and check out her fab blog!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Sharp Flats

As Fall approaches and I won't be able to wear flip flops every day I have found myself craving a closet full of flats. I would love a collection that rivals my collection of heels. My honey is about half of an inch taller than me, and I love being eye level with him (not that I still don't love putting on my stacks for a girls night). These are some of my favorites from Piperlime right now:

Marc by Marc Jacobs: 693139 in Pink and White $129.99




Mia: Medallion in Black $60




Very Volatile: Brenda in Black and Wine $45





Ciao Bella: Frankie in Pewter $79





Ciao Bella: Pause in Green $79





BCBGirls: Ferny in Tobacco Crosta $79


Now if only I could have all of these, I would have a nice selection of casual, dress, and fun flats to choose from! If only!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Embroidery Hoops Courtesy of Desire to Inspire


Oh...my...gosh... I love the newest post over at Desire to Inspire, a piece about using embroidery hoops as decoration. I swear she is psychic: I was just at The Salvation Army this week and saw a multitude of hoops and just knew they had potential. This will be my next project for certain! After hitting up the SA I'll be heading to the fabric store to see what clearance fabrics I can hodge podge into a wonderful array!



Check out her post to see many more beauties, including these darling tack boards. I'll be sure to put up my project after its completion!

P.S. I was also the lucky winner of a giveaway at Couture Carrie this weekend! I won a pair of Trove TKEES flip flops, and I am so excited! Thanks, Carrie!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Brightening Up Vintage Lamps


In the planning of my new apartment I have been looking for white lamps (or ones that I could spray paint) for the longest time. I finally found the cutest pair of antique milk glass lamps at a garage sale a few weeks ago for only $3 a piece! The existing gold finish wasn't terrible, but to match my decor theme, and to cover up the slightest bit of rust and tarnish, I decided to paint the metal parts a matte black to resemble black iron or something similar.

The first step was to take the lamps apart. If you have never done this, its a piece of cake. The key on the side of the lamp is internally threaded and will screw off. After removing the light bulb, the wiring component will screw off also. Below is a picture of the wiring component removed from the base.


A flat head screwdriver loosens the wires. Once the wires are removed the rest of the lamp can be disassembled. The next step is to take the wires and twist them to make reassembling the lamps easier, and to increase contact among all of the wires.


On the base of the lamps there were rings of metal that could not be removed, so I had to tape around them to spray paint them. First I did a close taping right around the ring.


Next, I used a plastic bag to cover the rest of the base and taped it around the portion that was already taped.


The most important part of this prepping is to cover the threaded portion of the base with tape so that it doesn't get painted, and so that you can put the lamp back together!


After a few light coats of spray paint on the bases, the middle brackets and the keys, it was time to reassemble the lamps. Thread the wire back through the base and the bracket, and up through the wiring mechanism. When rewiring, wrap the twisted wire clock-wise around the screw so that tightening the screw doesn't unwrap the wire, but instead helps secure it in place.

After tightening down the wires, reattach the wiring mechanism to the base, lining up the key's position with the hole in the bracket. Re-thread the key into place, replace any covers or guards for the wiring mechanism, and insert your light bulb. Top it all off with your lamp's top, and voila! New lamp!


And of course, plug it in to make sure it works...


Success!!

Gorgeous Dresses


My inbox gave me more beauty today when I opened up an email with sale items from Nordstrom. This BCBGMAXAZRIA Lace &Tulle Tier Gown is on sale for $379.90, and I think that it would make a perfect wedding dress for someone that doesn't want big, poofy, and expensive! Not that I'll be looking anytime soon, but its a good idea to keep in mind for any girl! The sidebar produced these beauties too:

BCBGMAXAZRIA Strapless Silk Gown, $360


BCBGMAXAZRIA Strapless Applique Dress, $398


In fact, all of Nordstroms's Wedding Dresses are very resaonably priced. Most under $500, and some under $200! With dresses this beautiful for such a great price, I don't think I could ever spend thousands on a dress. I think this $178 JS Boutique Beaded Crisscross Matte Jersey Gown is my favorite right now!


Sunday, August 2, 2009

White Kitchens

I've been thinking about dream homes lately, as I plan for my very reality based apartment. I love the idea of an all white (or mostly white) kitchen. I especially love pops of color and a combination of modern and rustic. Check out some of the best of what I found on Flickr!